Hi LH! Howzit? Check it out : Yes, indeed, you've got it intuitively. You'll find two distinct fare levels on the HA website. Early Bird and Johnny Come Lately. Within these two distinct levels you'll find a $50 fluctuation, as you also duly noted. How to get cheap fares? 1. Book Early 2. Start checking and getting to know your route pricing: on my route, all early fares switch to late fares two weeks prior to departure, and drop back down two days before departure. 3. purchase Y fares in advance and u/g on line, by phone or at the airport d.of d.